The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Thursday, February 5, that a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit against Darwin Alexander Davila-Perez, an illegal immigrant from Nicaragua, accusing him of assaulting an immigrant and a Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) officer in December last year.
According to the announcement, on December 17 last year, ICE conducted a targeted enforcement operation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to the operation, ICE had learned that Davila-Perez had falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen, attempting to illegally purchase firearms but was unsuccessful.
It is illegal for illegal immigrants to possess firearms.
During the enforcement process, officers attempted to stop Davila-Perez’s vehicle for a targeted vehicle inspection. He resisted arrest and intentionally collided with a police car. He then attacked federal law enforcement officers, elbowing one officer in the face, attempting to pull a gun from another officer, biting one officer, and wielding handcuffs to strike the officer’s forehead.
Several officers were injured in the conflict, including abrasions, bruises, and bite wounds that required medical attention.
Law enforcement officials eventually succeeded in arresting him. Davila-Perez is charged with assaulting federal officers and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “Davila-Perez not only deliberately violated our country’s immigration laws but also lied in an attempt to illegally purchase firearms. He then violently attacked law enforcement officers, exposing them to the dangerous situations our officers face daily while on duty.”
She further emphasized, “The rhetoric of sanctuary city politicians and their encouragement of evasion by illegal immigrants has led to a 1,300% increase in assaults on officers, a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks, and an alarming 8,000% increase in death threats faced by our officers.”
Secretary Kristie Noem of the Department of Homeland Security made it clear that “anyone who attacks law enforcement officials will face severe legal consequences.”
The announcement revealed that Davila-Perez arrived from Mexico on December 2, 2022, at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry in Texas and was subsequently released by the Biden administration into the United States.
The announcement stated, “Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie Noem’s message is clear: you will not stop or slow down our pace. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. If you dare to harm law enforcement officers, you will face the full force of the law.”
The announcement urged the public to call 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or fill out ICE’s online reporting form to report incidents of doxxing and harassment of ICE officers.